Welcome to Real Life

We’re so glad you chose to visit RealLifeChurch.me. We are a diverse group of people from a variety of backgrounds, nations, races and ages. Together we are on a journeyto Know God and Make Him Known! Whether you’re investigating the Christian faith or you’re coming at the invitation of a neighbor or friend, we’re glad you’re checking us out.

Our Mission

Is to Live for God, to Love others, and to Lead them to Christ!

Live

Our mission as the body of Christ is to KNOW GOD. We make disciples of Christ and not dependents on ministry. God's plan for each individual to LIVE FOR HIM is evident and we embrace that.

Love

Our mission as The Church is to LOVE OTHERS. Jesus defined that as everyone, everywhere, but start with your neighbor. And so we love our communities, our region, and our world!

Lead

Our mission as followers of Jesus is expressed so simply: Knowing Him and making Him known. We know Him! And it is our passion to LEAD OTHERS TO CHRIST! It's the greatest decision of our lives, and we are purposed to see the world know Him!

Our Vision

How we see our mission happening is three fold:

House Churches meeting all across the region, where people are engaged in following Jesus as a disciple, learning to LIVE for God on a daily basis. Our House Churches don’t replace corporate gatherings, however they are a living example Jesus to our communities. Our House Churches are the basis for ministry, and carry a DNA for multiplication. House Churches are consistantly being started across our communities in Mid-Michigan.

Corporate Gatherings and Events. It’s really clear to us that the 1st Century Church met regularly in House Churches as well as regular Corporate Gatherings, so it might go without saying that we love to gather corporately. Every Sunday we gather to celebrate with with powerful worship, practical Bible teaching, testimonies, and communion come together to bring life and faith into a clearer focus. There is loving atmosphere and generosity to others is paramount. These times together are really a celebration of what God is doing in and through our House Churches. They really promote how we LOVE others. And are almost entirely produced by our House Churches ministering to one another by sharing in service in the Corporate Gathering times. We also have regular events that specifically minister to specific groups of people in our communities. Prayer, women, men, youth, mothers, those struggling with addiction, and more. These help us to regularly reach out as a corporate body into our communities.

Leadership Development. Equipping and elevating people just like you to follow Christ, launch and lead a House Church, engage our communities with the Gospel, and bear Holy Spirit fruit in their life, is a primary passion for us. We see people engaged in LEADING others to Christ and discipling them in our House Churches and throughout daily life. We’ve put a large focus on developing leaders to do this through House Church Training Retreats, monthly Leadership Gatherings, and small group or one on one mentoring with one of our senior leaders.

Our Pastors

Our Senior Pastor, Andy Shaver radically loves Jesus, and is on a mission to spread God’s love in our community and around the world. Our Pastor has an extreme vision tor reach the lost and make disciples and see Real Life Church become a regional catalyst of ministry to the hurting and broken, a place that equips people for ministry in all walks of life, and to be a sending body of house church leaders, pastors, church planters, missionaries and traveling teachers!

Andy is a passionate and practical communicator of God’s word, presenting messages in creative ways and reaching people of this generation. Pastor Andy is a musician and songwriter and has traveled and ministered extensively both nationally and internationally. Andy is a graduate of Master’s Commission of Greater Cincinnati, and has also studied the Bible at Judson University.

Andy’s partner in ministry and in life is Emily Shaver. Emily serves as our Co-Pastor. Pastors Andy and Emily reside in the rural Eaton County with their five children, Alex, Maxi, Wyatt, Weston and Jensen

Our Beliefs

In essential beliefs, we have unity.

“There is one Body and one Spirit...there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all…” Ephesians 4:4-6

In non-essential beliefs, we have liberty.

“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters...Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls...So then each of us will give an account of himself to God...So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22

In all our beliefs, we show charity.

“...If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.” 1 Corinthians 13:2 (Phillips Paraphrase Version)

Our Four Essentials

The Bible is The Word of God

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.” 2 Timothy 3:16 NLT

“We also thank God continually because, when you received the Word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it, not as the word of men, but actually as it is, the Word of God, which is at work in you who believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13

God’s Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority and we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is, “What does the Bible say?” We practice daily Bible reading and Bible study. The Bible is the basis for all we believe.

Jesus is the Son of God

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

“For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them.” Acts 4:11-12 NLT

Jesus Christ, second Person of the Trinity, lived a sinless life on earth and voluntarily paid for our sin by dying on the cross as our substitute. This accomplished salvation for all who receive grace by trusting in Him alone. He rose from the dead and is the only mediator between God and us. He baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit and will return to earth to consummate history.

You must be Born Again

“When anyone becomes a Christian, they become a new person inside. The old passes away, a new life has begun.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 LB

Jesus: “If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.” Matthew 16:25 NLT

God created humans to have fellowship with Him, but they defied God by sinfully going their own way. As a result, we need God’s saving grace to end our alienation from Him. Salvation comes only through God’s grace – not human effort – and must be received personally by repentance and faith. At the end, everyone will experience bodily resurrection and the judgment. Only believers will enjoy eternal fellowship with God.

Believers can be Spirit Filled & Spirit Led

“…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…” Acts 1:8

“…be filled with the Holy Spirit” Ephesians 5:18

“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13

We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God’s power within us. Every believer can be filled with the Holy Spirit by simply asking. We seek to practice a daily dependence on God’s Spirit to enable us to do what is right.

Our Statement of Faith

Living for God, Loving others,
Leading them to Christ.

Our Team

Want to join with us?

We have a place for you! Use the link on the right to find a House Church, or make plans to visit our Sunday morning Corporate Gathering at 10:00am. We meet corporately in our facility at 1848 S. Cochran, Charlotte, MI 48813

Find a House Church

Welcome to Real Life

Our Mission

Live

Love

Lead

Our Vision

Our Pastors

Pastor Andy Shaver

Pastor Emily Shaver

Our Beliefs

In essential beliefs, we have unity.

In non-essential beliefs, we have liberty.

In all our beliefs, we show charity.

Our Four Essentials

Living for God, Loving others, Leading them to Christ.

Our Team

Andy Shaver

Emily Shaver

Kevin & Iris Maat

Nancy Shaver

Steve Shaver

Want to join with us?

Living for God, Loving others,
Leading them to Christ.